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Rescue organization to hold adoption event in Hanover

By ANGEL HANEY

The Evening Sun

Posted:
07/11/2013 09:31:23 PM EDT

Brandi and Whiskey will be at the adoption event held by Operation Paws for Homes at Petsmart, 181 Wilson Ave., Hanover, July 13. This all-day event will help pair animals taken from high-kill shelters with a forever home. (THE EVENING SUN -- SUBMITTED)

Spring and summer is a time when puppy and cat births skyrocket and shelters become more crowded than ever, but one group is trying to get those animals placed with loving, forever homes.

Operation Paws for Home is an organization that partners with high-kill shelters to reduce euthanizations in animals.

"The Greenwood, S.C. shelter had an approximate 90 percent euthanasia rate before we started working with them last fall," Mindy Young, adoption coordinator for OPH, said. "By December, their rate had lowered by about 60 percent. They are a tiny shelter in rural South Carolina, with barely any budget to speak of. They were putting dogs down simply because they couldn't afford to feed them."

Young said the director of OPH, Jen Maki, helped set up a monthly delivery of food with money from OPH's adoption fees, so the shelter had less worries about food shortage.

"We also donate blankets, bowls, crates and whatever else we can to all the shelters we work with. Lots are even donated through campaigns run by our other volunteers," Young said.

But helping shelters isn't their only objective, though, and OPH's main focus is adoptions.

"The Pennsylvania branch of OPH has been around since about 2011," Young said. "To date, OPH has rescued over 2,850 dogs. We adopted out 1,006 in 2012 alone."

Maki said helping to place dogs in safe, secure homes is better than just the number of adoptions that OPH does alone.

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"We don't want to adopt a dog that just goes back to the shelter," she said. "The quality of adoptions is as important as the quantity, or you aren't solving the problem."

Young said the number of adoptions is impressive for a 3-year-old rescue organization and she gives thanks to the many volunteers and foster homes that partner with OPH. OPH in Pennsylvania currently has roughly seven foster homes, with about 20-25 volunteers and growing. The organization is bringing an adoption event to Hanover on July 13.

The rescue has seven puppies currently available for adoption, and is expecting more to come in before the event. Applications are needed to adopt, Maki said, but most applications can be approved quickly, providing OPH can reach the applicant's vet and references. Pre-approved adopters, or those who fill out an application before going to the event, can adopt on the spot.

"We encourage new volunteers and visits from the public even if they don't want to adopt presently. The public is welcome to come and get puppy kisses at our kissing booth, as well," Young said.

All animals adopted with OPH are checked by a vet at the shelter and are given their rabies, distemper and bordetella shots. Adult animals are checked for heart worms and lyme disease and any animals old enough are spayed or neutered. At the foster home, the dogs are given medicine for worms, probiotics, vitamins, and their monthly flea/tick and heart worm preventatives.

"If we can get everyone to spay and neuter their dogs or adopt from responsible breeders, we would be out of a job and that would be fine with me," she said. "These dogs just need love and time."

If you go

What: Operation Paws for Homes Adoption Event

Where: Petsmart, 181 Wilson Ave., Hanover

When: July 13.

Details: Adoption fees range from $225 to $325, depending on the dog. To get pre-approved for adoption, email for an application at adopt@ophrescue.org. For more information about Operation Paws for Homes visit them online at www.ophrescue.org.